India and Brazil might still be in the early phase of smartphone revolution but situation is going to be a lot different in the next four years. According to the latest smartphone forecast from research company International Data Corporation (IDC), both the countries will enter the top 5 country markets for smartphone shipments by the year 2016.
IDC also states that China is expected to oust United States as the largest smartphone market this year. After overtaking US consecutively in two quarters in second half of the last year, China will carry on the momentum in 2012. US, Japan and UK will still see continued growth in smartphone adoption but the numbers won't be comparable to the emerging markets.
India will see immense growth for smartphone sector in the coming years aided by 3G uptake and smartphone launches from domestic players like Micromax, Lava, Karbonn and Spice. Growth in smartphone segment has been mainly driven by international players so far and they will continue to invest further to develop local manufacturing capabilities.
Coming to Brazil, low inflation coupled with booming economy has improved the discretionary income of Brazilian people and the dropping smartphone prices have opened up smartphones to a whole new world of consumers. So, the next few years will see a lot of consumers migrating from feature phones to smartphones.